Poem Analysis - More Life Went Out When He Went

A Loss Beyond Measure

Emily Dickinson's "More Life went Out when He Went" is a poignant exploration of profound loss and the varying ways individuals experience death's impact. The poem begins with a declaration of extraordinary diminishment, suggesting the departed individual possessed a vital spark that far exceeded ordinary existence. As the poem progresses, Dickinson contemplates the chilling necessity of death, and how different people require different 'degrees' of finality to extinguish their inner flame. The tone is initially somber and reverent, shifting to a more analytical and almost scientific detachment as the poem delves into the nature of mortality.

The Universal Chill of Mortality

One of the primary themes in this poem is mortality and the unique manner in which death affects different individuals. Dickinson portrays death not merely as an end, but as a process requiring a specific "Temperature" and "Power" to fully extinguish life. This introduces the concept that the force of death must be proportionate to the vitality of the life being extinguished. The image of the "Grave" as a "Climate" emphasizes the all-encompassing and inescapable nature of death's influence. She contrasts the effort needed to extinguish some lives to the ease with which other lives end, illustrating that death's impact is not uniform but varies depending on the "Citizen".

The Bright Flame of Exceptional Life

The poem introduces the theme of exceptionality. The opening lines, "More Life went out when He went / Than Ordinary Breath," immediately establish that the deceased possessed an extraordinary quality of being. The phrase "finer Phosphor" acts as a symbol for this inner radiance and vitality, suggesting a superior or more intense life force that goes beyond the mundane. This vivid imagery elevates the deceased above the realm of the ordinary, highlighting the profound sense of loss felt by the speaker. It also introduces the idea that such remarkable lives require a more forceful cessation, a "Power of Renowned Cold," to be fully extinguished.

Extinguishing the Inner Fire

Another prominent theme is the extinguishment of life's flame. Dickinson presents a series of images that evoke the process of death. The "Anthracite" metaphor suggests a slow burning, implying that some lives require a sustained coldness to cease existing. In contrast, the image of "A Gnat's minutest Fan" highlights how easily some lives can be extinguished. This contrast is intensified by the image of "Peat lift amply vivid." Peat is partially decayed organic matter that can be dried and burned as fuel. This symbolizes a life that is easily inflamed and, in comparison to the previous images, less hardy in the face of oblivion. The references to Popocatépetl and Etna symbolize major events in the world that this "Peat" ignores, further diminishing the "Citizen." This imagery suggests that the citizen is self-absorbed and inconsequential, and that a small thing can obliterate a whole life.

A Question of Significance

The references to "Popocatapel exists / Or Etna’s Scarlets, Choose" present an intriguing ambiguity. On one level, it suggests the deceased (or those who are extinguished easily) were oblivious to the grandeur and drama of the world, engrossed instead in their own limited existence. However, it could also be interpreted as a commentary on the scale of human significance. Are the personal experiences of the individual (the "Citizen" and their "Peat lift") diminished by the existence of massive natural phenomena like volcanoes? Is Dickinson suggesting that individual lives, in their smallness, can be rendered insignificant by the vastness of the world, or is she highlighting a lack of awareness of the world's magnitude in certain individuals?

Final Reflections: A Spectrum of Loss

In conclusion, "More Life went Out when He Went" is a powerful meditation on loss, the varying intensities of life, and the diverse ways in which death impacts individuals. Dickinson uses vivid imagery and stark contrasts to explore the idea that some lives burn brighter and require a more forceful extinguishing. The poem emphasizes the exceptionality of some lives and contrasts this to the ease with which others can be obliterated. Ultimately, the poem invites reflection on the nature of life, death, and the significance of individual existence within a vast and often indifferent world, capturing a spectrum of human experience with Dickinson's characteristic precision and depth.